Destination Thailand

Holidays and Festivals

Makha Bucha — (February full moon)

An important Buddhist holy day. Merit-making ceremonies take place during the day at temples throughout the country, while at devotees carry flickering candles three times around monastery chapels

Flower festival Chiang Mai (February first weekend)

The North is noted for its rich variety of flowering plants, which are at their best during this cool month. Spectacular floral floats are a feature of this annual event , together with displays of flowers, handicraft sales, and beauty contests.

Songkran (April 13–15)

Songkran is the Thai New Year when it is a tradition to make merit to monks, pour water onto a Buddha image and the elderly (Rod Nam Dam Hua)This time has also become known for people to go around the streets throwing water onto everyone. Visitors can expect to get a liberal dousing if they visit busy areas.

Pattaya Festival (April)

This festival is held at the height of the summer season. Food and floral floats, beauty contests, stalls selling local delicacies and a spectacular display of fireworks on the beach area some of the highlights.

Visakha Bucha (May full moon)

This is the holiest of all Buddhist religious days during the year, marking the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Lord Buddha. As on Makha Bucha, temples throughout the country may be crowded.

The Rocket Festival Yasothon — Bun Bang Fai (Second week of May)

Traditionally, northeastern villagers have created and launched rockets of all kinds and sizes as a belief that this will ensure plenty of rain for the rice planting season.

Asanha Bucha (KHAO PANSA July full moon)

The beginning of Buddhist Rains Retreat (Khao Phansa), a period of three months during which monks must remain in their temples and strictly observe their religious duties. Most young Thai men choose to enter the monkhood at this time.

Candle Festival — Ubon Ratchathani (July full moon)

‘Khao Phansa’ is observed in the northeastern city of Ubon Ratchathani with this lovely festival that displays artistic skills such as carved beeswax candles, some of them several metres tall, are exhibited in colorful parades before being presented to local temples.

H.M. the Queens birthday (August 12)

The most splendid are to be seen in Bangkok, particularly along Rajdamnoen Avenue and around the Grand Place, where government offices and streets are garlanded with millions of fairy lights.

Phichit Boat Races (September)

Phichit is located in one of the most beautiful parts of Thailand. This regatta takes place on the Nan River and features numerous low-slung wooden boats raced with great gusto to the cheers of spectators.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival (Early October)

This is one of Phuket’s major events. Residents of Chinese ancestry undertake a ten-day vegetarian diet, and there are ceremonies at local Chinese temples and parades that feature remarkable feats by ascetic believers.

Chonburi Buffaloe Races (October)

The water buffalo is one of the mainstays of Thai rural life, but in this annual event it is put to more amusing uses, namely in Buffalo races and contests pitting buffalo against man. Beauty contests add to the fun of a festival that attracts crowds from nearby seaside resorts.

Chulalongkorn Day (23 October)

Commemorates the death of King Rama V. Wreaths are laid at the Equestrian Statue at the Royal Plaza to pay homage to his memory.

Surin Elephant Round-up (November)

Internationally famous, this annual event brings crowds of visitors to the provincial city of Surin, where some 100 trained elephants are assembled. Among the spectacular features are wild elephant hunts, tugs of war, demonstrations of log pulling skills, and a parade of elephants outfitted for medieval warfare.

River Kwai Bridge Week — Kanchanaburi (Late November – early December)

The bridge on the River Kwai is the setting for this week-long series of events. Highlights include a light and sound presentation at the bridge, archaeological and historical exhibitions, and rides on vintage trains.

Ayuthaya Festival (December)

Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO In 1991. Ayutthaya celebrates its glorious past with historical exhibitions, traditional cultural processions and performances, light and sound presentations.